Multiculturalism is a ritualized word, often over-used to describe Canada. It is true that, there are few countries in the world that can boast of the diversity found here, but does multiculturalism really exist in Canada? As an international student, I find myself questioning the extent to which multiculturalism truly exists in this country. My expectation of finding a variety of cultures existing either harmoniously or in conflict has not been met. In fact, I have found that Canadian culture does not truly reflect the diversity of the people here. Could multiculturalism be a lie?
The ritualized use of the word multiculturalism was put to the test when I reviewed the historical relationship of natives and European immigrants in Canada. The immigrants, who put the natives in reserves, did little to facilitate a harmonious existence between them. The foundation of this relationship is still evident as the Aboriginal peoples practice their culture geographically separate from their Canadian counterparts. This historical and continuing cultural separation in itself reflects, to some extent, the type of multiculturalism we have today. The alienation of natives has not been effectively addressed, since the cultural divide is ever-increasing, and efforts to promote integration have been inadequate. As a result, I find it difficult to understand how multiculturalism can be said to exist when this crucial relationship between the peoples of Canada depicts so many flaws.
Through living in Ontario, I have come to see that there is indeed a variety of races and ethnicities co-existing here. However, I could not shake off the feeling of disconnection between what I had expected of this multicultural country and what I was experiencing in my day-to-day life. While trying to wrap my head around this, I finally understood that what is practiced here is what I call selective multiculturalism. There are instances in which multiculturalism is practiced in its basic sense. However, there are other instances where it is not practiced at all, and so in its place exists a single culture. Western European / American culture has come to be the single defining mainstream culture of Canada and all other cultures come second to its dominance. As a result, the very existence of this culture effectively eliminates the possibility of any multi-culture arrangement. This causes the process of cultural homogenization that involves the integration of certain borrowed traits from other cultures. For example, one is likely to find an assortment of restaurants offering different types of cultural foods in most cities; but one will rarely find other cultural representations such as language, dress, rituals and other practices in the same cities. Names and accents, which are characteristic of multicultural societies, are favoured insofar as they are considered cool. The moment they become difficult to pronounce or understand, names become punishable: they get shortened, replaced with English names, or ignored altogether in conversations and communication with the dominant cultural group.
It is because of such experiences that I find it hard to agree that Canada is multicultural. In fact, in many ways, the country has fallen short of this description. It would be proper to state that Canada is striving to be multicultural, as it has not yet attained this status. Multiculturalism should not only be perceived as diversity of races and ethnicities, but as a significant level of tolerance for this diversity. This tolerance is especially important for those of us coming from abroad, since having an understanding of the society we are coming into, along with reasonable expectations for it, are essential. From my experience, rather than expecting to fit right in, foreigners can expect to engage in many conversations which define, explain and justify their foreign practices. Yes, one does find a variety of races and ethnic communities in Canada, but a harmonious existence of the different cultures and peoples does not exist outside of this selective state of multiculturalism. Perhaps it is time for Canadians to rethink the ritualistic description and use of the word multiculturalism, since it does not accurately account for Canada’s intolerant colonial beginnings, selective present day practices and where it continuously strives to be in the future!
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